Aggregate moisture eliminator



y 7, 1940- A. C. KENNE DY 2,199.884

AGGREGATE MOISTURE ELIMINATOR Filed March 29, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NAlert G K322226 99.

Q BY

ATTORNEYS y 1940. A. c. KENNEDY 2.199.884

AGGREGATE MOISTURE ELIMINATOR Filed March 29, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEYS Patented May 7, T940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE My inventionrelates to road building machinery, and has among its objects andadvantages the pro-vision of an improved aggregate moisture eliminator.

In the construction of roadbeds, particularly beds having a finishedsurface of bituminous material, the problem of moisture elimination isthe cause of considerable delay and expense in the construction of suchroads. It is common practice to make use of an aggregate placed on afoundation base. The finished surface is applied to the aggregate, butfinishing material such as asphalt cannot be applied until the aggregateis devoid of moisture. After laying of the aggregate, it'frequentlyhappens that rain will wet the road stretch and delay further work onthe roadbeduntil the moisture has been eliminated. The aggregate may beturned and mixed to expose the material to the Wind and sun for dryingpurposes so as to facilitate the application of asphalt. Such a methoddepends entirely upon weather conditions and is the cause ofconsiderable delay and expense even under the best of weatherconditions.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide a machine adaptedto eliminate moisture from the aggregate so as to eliminate costlydelays incident to the application of bituminous material to the roadbedunder present methods.

A further object is to provide a machine embodying a series of plows forstirring and mixing the aggregate together with a series of burners sorelated to the plows as toeffectively eliminate moisture from the massof aggregate stirred and mixed by the plows. The plows are staggered insuch manner as to efiectively mix the mass of aggregate to a'predetermined depth and the burner devices are so arranged as topositively direct heat onto the stirred and mixed mass of aggregate. Themachine is designed to process a relatively large area of roadbed andmay be drawn through the medium of any suitable source of power in suchmanner as to move at a variable speed dependent upon the degree .ofmoisture elimination necessary for a given stretch of roadbed.

Another oba'ect is to provide a machine of the type described in whichaggregate stirring plows are associated with direct heat applicationmeans for the aggregate exposed by the plows and in which the plows areprovided with means for effectively adjusting the same for depth.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1v is a top plan, view of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view taken, from the position indicatedv by line 5-5 ofFigure 1; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the plows separated from itssupporting structure [4 with the members out diagonally at their endsand welded into a unitary structure, as at l6. Members l2 and I4 maycomprise standard I- beams. To the members I2 I bolt bearings I8 whichrotatably carry a crank axle on the ends of which are rotatably mountedsupporting Wheels 22.

In advance or the frame I0 I locate a truck 24 which comprises an axle26 provided with sup porting wheels 28, and the axle is provided with adraw bar 30 provided with a plate 32 having an opening 34 to facilitateconnection with-a tractor, or other type of power, for pulling thedevice over the roadbed being treated. Referring to Figure 2, axle 26 isprovided with a plate 36 upon which I position a plate 38rotatably-related to the bed plate 36 by reason of a bolt 40 whichextends through aligned openings in the two plates. To the plate 38 Iweld the forward ends of diverging beams 42, and the rear ends of'thebeams are provided with wings 44- positioned between flanges 46 weldedto the members I2. Wings 44 and the flanges 46 are provided with alignedopenings for the reception of con.- necting bolts 48 so that the rearends of the beams 42 are pivotally connected with the frame Upon thebeams 42 I bolt bearings 50 which rotatably support a shaft 52 havingarms 54 fixedly related to its ends. The outer ends of the arms 54 areconnected with supporting chains 56 which have their lower endsconnected with eyes 58 secured to the forward member l4. Thus, rotationof the shaft 52 will actuate the chains 56 for raising and lowering theforward end of the frame 10.

Means for rotating the shaft 52 comprises a worm gear 60- keyed to theshaft, see Figure 2. Worm gear 60 meshes with a worm 62 keyed to acontrol shaft 64 having its forward end rotatably journaled in asectional housing 66 which encloses the worm gear 68 and the worm 62.The sections 68 of the housing 66 are secured into a unitary structureby bolts 18. The rear end of the control shaft 84 is rotatably journaledin a Ibearing 12, and the end of the shaft is keyed to a bevel gear 14arranged in mesh with a bevel gear 18 keyed to a shaft 18 rotatablysupported in bearings 89 at the upper end of a bracket 82. Bearing 12 isinterconnected with a supporting bearing 84 mounted loosely on the shaft18 through the medium of an arm 86. To the shaft 18 I key a hand wheel88 through the medium of Which the shaft 18 may be rotated for operatingthe shaft 64 and raising and lowering the forward end of the frame II]in accordance with road demands.

Rotation of the crank axle 20 for raising and lowering the rear end ofthe frame It! comprises a shaft 90 having threaded connection with aconnecting member 92 having pivots 94 loosely connected with the upperends of arms 96 fixedly connected at their opposite ends with the crankaxle 28. Shaft 98 is rotatably journaled in a bearing 98 and is providedwith a bevel gear I80 arranged in mesh with a bevel gear I02 keyed to ashaft I84 rotatably journaled in bearings I86 at the upper end of abracket I 08. Bearing 98 is supported through the medium of an arm III)fixedly related to a bearing I I2 loosely connected with the shaft I 04.Rotation of the shaft I04 is consummated through the medium of a handwheel H4 keyed to the shaft. Thus, rotation of the shaft I84 impartsrotary motion to the shaft 98 for oscillating the arms 96, which in turnoperates the crank axle 28 for raising and lowering the rear end of theframe It in accordance with road demands. Brackets 82 and I98 are boltedto a floor II6, as at II8.

Frame III is provided with a plurality of transverse beams I28, whichbeams have their ends welded to the webs I22 of the frame members I2, asat I24 in Figure 3. According to Figure 1, the beams I28 are equallyspaced longitudinally of the frame II), and each beam carries aplurality of roadbed working tools I26. All the tools are identical inconstruction and operation so that the description of one will refer toall.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 6, the tool I26 of Figure 6 comprises anaggregate plowing blade 1 or shovel I28 having a convex leading face I38and tapered gently to a point I 32. Blade I28 is fixedly related to ashank I34 comprising a strap bent back upon itself at I36 with the endsof the strap welded at I38 to the face I 48 of the beam The legs of theshank I34 are spaced for the reception of headed bolts I 42 passingthrough openings in the blade I28, and the bolts I42 are provided withnuts I44 through the medium of which the blade may be fixedly clamped tothe shank, as illustrated in Figure 4. Thus, the blade I28 may beadjusted longitudinally of the shank I34 and fixedly connected therewithin different positions.

While the tools I26 are identical in construction and operation, thetools associated with one beam are offset with respect to the toolsassociated with the adjacent beam in such manner as to plow furrowsmidway between the furrows plowed by the proceeding tools so as toeffectively distribute the plowing action throughout the entire mass ofthe aggregate. The blades I28 incline slightly forwardly in thedirection of their pointed ends I32 and are of such width and convexityas to effectively open the aggregate as the tools plow therethrough. Thedepth of the plowing action is effectively controlled throughmanipulation of the hand wheels 88 and H4.

Each gang of tools I28 is associated with a series of burners I46.burner units I46 as being mounted on shafts I56 extending transverselyof the frame ID immediately adjacent their respective beams I29 so as toclosely associate the burners with their respective tools I28. Figure 3illustrates one of the shafts I56, which shaft has its ends rotatablyjournaled in bearings I58 bolted at I52 to the frame members I2. All theshafts I58 and the burner units I46 are of the same construction andoperate in the same manner so that the description of one will apply toall. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, particularly Figure l, the burnerunit I 46 comprises a burner tube I48 having a bracket I5I bolted to aclamp I53 through the medium of bolts I 54. Clamp I53 embraces the shaftI56 so as to fixedly relate the burner unit to the shaft. A lever I58 iskeyed to the shaft I56 and extends upwardly to be latched in thepositions of Figures 3 and 4 through the medium of latch bars I 68pivotally connected at. I62 tothe frame members I2. Latch bars I69 maybe pivoted out of the path of the lever I58 to permit rotation of theshaft I56 and adjustment of the burner units I46 fixedly related to theshaft. Figure 3 illustrates the latch bars I98 as being pivotallyconnected with one of the frame mem-- bers I2 sufficiently far inwardlythereof to afford support for the bars in their horizontal positions, sothat the lever I58 will be latched between the two bars.

Referring to Figure 4, burner tube I48 is positioned slightlyin the rearof its associated tool I26, and the tube is provided with a cap I64provided with a slot I68 for the admission of' air into the tube. CapI64 is telescopically related to the tube I 48 to be adjusted relativelythereto for varying the air inlet capacity of the slot I66, and the capI64 may be secured in ad- Figure 1 illustrates the justed positionsthrough the medium of a set screw I88.

A fuel tube I18 is associated with the tube I48 and is bent to provide areach I12 extending into the tube I48 through its lower end, with theupper end of the reach I12 bent downwardly of the tube, as at I14. Thelower end of the tube I48 is perforated at I16. Means for supplying fuelin the nature of oil to the tube I18 comprises a fiexible tube I18connected at one end with the tube I18 and its other end connected witha valve I88 interposed in a pipe line I82 extending transversely of theframe I8. Figure 1 illustrates the transverse pipe lines I82 as beingconnected with pipe lines I84 which extend longitudinally of the frameI0 adjacent the side members I2. The rear ends of the pipes I84 areinterconnected by a pipe I86, which pipe is connected with fuel supplytanks I88 through the medium of branches I98 provided with valves I92.series of burners I46 is provided with one transverse pipe I82, and eachburner is provided with one valve connection I89 with its respectivepipe I82. Each pipe I82 has fuel delivery communication with both of thepipes I84, the latter having fuel delivery communication with the supplytanks I88.

Referring to Figure 4, the tube I18 is fixedly related to the burnertube I48 by brackets I94 which maybe welded to the two tubes. The burnertube I48 is provided with a generating pan I96 which is fixedly relatedto the burner tubethro-ugh the medium of abracket I98 which Thus, eachmay bewelded to the burner tube and the generating'pan. For generatingpurposes, shaft I56 is rotated-through the medium of its lever I58 tobring the pan I96 to the dotted line horizontal position. Thus, the panmay be provided with a supply 1 of fuelwithin its horizontal positionand the fuel ignited for bringing. the burner unit to the necessary hightemperature for vaporizing the fuel .supplied thereto from the tanksI88. Flexibleconnection I'I8 permits shifting of the burner unit to thehorizontal position of Figure 4. Floor IIB has its forward margin weldedto the rear cross member I4 and the floor is additionally supportedthrough the medium of diagonal braces 208 having their forward endsweldedto therear cross member I4 and their rear ends welded to therearward margins of the floor. Upon the floor I I6 I mount an airpressure pump 202 which may be operated through the medium of a lever204 forpla'cing the fuel in the supply tank I88 under pressure. Pump 202has communication with a pipe 206 which communicates with thetWo supplytanks I88 near their upper ends. Obviously, an air pressure pump of themotor. driven type may also be mounted on the floor II6.

To the two side members I2 I connect vertical wings 208. The wings arefixedly related to the side members through the medium of angle brackets2I0 which may be welded to the wings 288 and the side members I2. Partlyoverlapping the lower margins of the wings 208 are two plates 2 I2 whichmay be welded to the wings. Replaceable wing elements 2M have partialoverlapping relation with the plates 2I2, and are detachably connectedwith the plates through the medium of bolts 2 I6. Wing elements 2I4extend downwardly slightly below the plowing depth of the shovels I28and the wing structure constitutes walls which function to preventspreading of the heat beyond the road area effectively stirred by theshovels I28. Wing elements 2I4 are subjected to considerable wear andare therefore made replaceable.

In operation, shovels I28 operate to effectively agitate the aggregateand expose it in such manner as to be effectively heated by the burnerunits I48. The burner units are so distributed as to provide the directapplication of heat throughout the entire aggregate area stirred by theshovels I28, and the shovels are so arranged as to effectively exposeall the aggregate stirred by the shovels to direct heat. Thus, I providemeans for effectively drying the aggregate so as to facilitateapplication of the road surfacing material. Shovels I28 are adjustablyrelated to their respective shanks I34 so as to secure precisepositiOIling and adjustment to compensate wear. In addition, the frame Iis mounted so as to be adjusted for elevation to the end that the toolsI26 may effectively stir the aggregate to a predetermined depth. ShovelsI28 in their staggered relation stir the aggregate in such manner as toexpose all the aggregate to a given depth to direct heat.

Supply tanks I88 are provided with removable caps 2I8 for fillingpurposes. Hand wheels 88 and H4 are closely associated with the pumplever 2114, and the hand wheels are located rearwardly of the tool andburner devices so that the operator takes a position where he mayconveniently observe the operation of the tools and burners.

Having thus described certain embodiments of my invention in detail, itis, of course, understood 1. An aggregate moisture eliminator comprisinga portable frame structure adapted to be moved over a bed of aggregate,aggregate stirring tools carried by the frame structure, burner meansassociated with the aggregate stirring tools for heating the aggregatestirred by the tools, to eliminate moisture from the aggregate, normallyupright generator pans fixedly related to the burner means, and meansfor shifting the burner means to bring the generator pans tohorizontalpositions and subsequently moving the burner means to latchednormal positions.

2. An aggregate moisture eliminator comprising a wheel supported frame,beams extending transversely of the frame, aggregate stirring plowscarried by said beams, with the plows of one beam offset laterally ofthe plows of an adjacent beam, transverse shafts carried by the frame inthe rear ofsaid beams, and burners mounted on said shafts rearwardly ofthe stirring plows for heating the aggregate stirred by the plows, toeliminate moisture from the aggregate.

3. An aggregate moisture eliminator comprising a wheel supported frame,beams extending transversely of the frame, aggregate stirring plowscarried by said beams, with the plows of one beam offset laterally ofthe plows of an adjacent beam, transverse shafts carried by the frame inthe rear of said beams, burners mounted on said shafts rearwardly of thestirring plows for heating the aggregate stirred by the plows, toeliminate moisture from the aggregate,

and means for moving the frame vertically to vary the stirring depth ofsaid plows.

4. An aggregate moisture eliminator comprising a wheel supported frame,beams extending transversely of the frame, aggregate stirring plowscarried by said beams, with the plows of one beam offset laterally ofthe plows of an adjacent beam, transverse shafts carried by the frame inthe rear of said beams, burners mounted on said shafts rearwardly of thestirring plows for heating the aggregate stirred by the plows, toeliminate moisture from the aggregate, fuel supply means carried by theframe, and fuel connections between the fuel supply means and saidburners.

5. An aggregate moisture eliminator comprising a wheel supported frame,beams extending transversely of the frame, aggregate stirring plowscarried. by said beams, with the plows of one beam offset laterally ofthe plows of an adjacent beam, transverse shafts carried by the frame inthe rear of said beams, burners mounted on said shafts rearwardly of thestirring plows for heating the aggregate stirred by the plows, toeliminate moisture from the aggregate, fuel supply means carried by theframe, fuel connections between the fuel supply means and said burners,normally upright generator pans fixedly related to said burners, saidshafts being rotatably journaled in said frame, and means for rotatingthe shafts to bring the generator pans to horizontal generatingpositions. I

6. An aggregate moisture eliminator comprising a wheel supported frame,beams extending transversely of the frame, aggregate stirring plowscarried by said beams, with the plows of one beam offset laterally ofthe plows of an adjacent beam, transverse shafts carried by the frame inthe rear of said beams, burners mounted on said shafts rearwardly of thestirring plows for heating the aggregate stirred by the plows, toeliminate moisture from the aggregate, fuel supply means carried by theframe, fuel connections between the fuel supply means and said burners,normally upright generator pansrfixedly related to said burners, saidshafts being rotatably journaled in said frame, means for rotating theshafts to bring the generator pans to horizontal generating positions,and means for latching the said shafts against accidental rotation, withthe burners in substantially upright positions.

7. An aggregate moisture eliminator comprising a portable framestructure adapted to be moved over a bed of aggregate, aggregatestirring tools carried by the frame structure, burner means associatedwith the aggregate stirring tools for heating the aggregate stirred bythe tools, to eliminate moisture from the aggregate, rear supportingwheels for said frame, a truck in advance of the frame, a beamconnection loosely connected with the truck and the frame, manuallyactuated means cooperable with said beam connection and the frame forraising and lowering the forward endof the frame,,to vary the stirringdepth of said tools, and: manually actuetools for heating the aggregatestirred by the tools, to eliminate moisture-from the aggregate, rearsupporting wheels for said frame, a truck in advance of the frame, abeam connection loosely connected with the truck'and the frame,-manually actuated means cooperable with said beam connection and theframe for raising and lowering the forward end of the frame, to vary thestirring depth of said tools, manually actuated.

means for'raising and lowering the rear end of the frame, saidlast-named means including a rotary crank axle for said wheels, and handwheel means connected with the. crank axle for rotating the latter.

ALBERT. G. KENNEDY.

